U.S. Supreme Court to hear Kansas’ appeal on overturning of death penalty case

Monday

Feb 25, 2013 at 10:08 AMFeb 25, 2013 at 10:09 AM

Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced today the U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear the state’s appeal of the Kansas Supreme Court’s decision overturning the conviction and death sentence imposed on Scott Cheever.

Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced today the U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear the state’s appeal of the Kansas Supreme Court’s decision overturning the conviction and death sentence imposed on Scott Cheever.

Cheever was convicted and sentenced to death in 2007 for the murder of Greenwood County Sheriff Matt Samuels. Last August, the Kansas Supreme Court overturned the conviction, citing constitutional violations, and ordered a new trial.

“We have carefully analyzed the opinion of the Kansas Supreme Court and we do not believe the Court’s decision correctly reflects the requirements of the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution,” Schmidt said. “I am encouraged the United States Supreme Court has agreed to review the case."